How pure is your CBD?

Many of my patients use CBD to help them sleep because not only is it highly effective – it’s safe and natural.

So, I was dismayed with the latest research I uncovered a couple days ago.

It came from an independent testing lab in California that looked at the quality and label accuracy of numerous hemp-based products for sale.

The results were shocking.

The lab found that 42% of the CBD samples exceeded legal limits for pesticides and heavy metals. One product alone contained 17 different pesticides in amounts that were hundreds of times over the legal limits.1

This report backs up earlier research from Oregon State University. That study found 50 different pesticides in the CBD products they sampled.2 And nine of those were considered extremely hazardous by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Some of these include:

    • Bifenthrin – This insecticide is a possible carcinogen that also causes tingling, burning, itching, and numbness when it comes in contact with skin. When inhaled, it can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs.
    • Imazalil – The WHO classifies this fungicide as a carcinogen. But it is also an endocrine disruptor that throws your body’s hormones out of whack. And leads to obesity, estrogen dominance, loss of libido, birth defects, developmental problems, and cancer.
    • Paclobutrazol – Used as a plant growth regulator to increase crop productivity, paclobutrazol is a risk to humans, animals, and the environment. It’s been documented to be toxic on the developing heart, eyes, liver, pancreas, intestine and other organs of zebrafish. (Zebrafish are a globally accepted model in toxicological research.)
    • This is just a sample of what was found. Other toxins discovered in the CBD samples were trifloxystrobin, imidacloprid, daminozide, cyfluthrin – and the list goes on.3

      The independent lab study also found heavy metal contaminants in the CBD

      they tested. In fact, one product contained 6.5 parts per billion (ppb) of lead – 13 times over what is allowed!

      In addition to lead, other highly toxic heavy metals discovered in hemp were arsenic, mercury, and cadmium.

      The FDA classifies these four heavy metals as a Class 1 Category meaning they are “human toxicants.”

      Once absorbed, your body cannot efficiently remove them. And because these metals accumulate over time, frequent exposure puts your health at serious risk.

      Another shocker was that more than half of the tested items labeled “hemp” didn’t qualify as hemp.

      The farm bill passed by Congress in 2018 classified hemp as 0.3% THC. But 53% of products actually contained high-cannabis THC. That’s pretty worrisome if that’s not what you wanted!

      Look Before You Buy

      It’s so important to know and trust the source of your CBD. Here’s how to know your product is safe:

        • Avoid CBDs that are made using chemicals like propane, butane, pentane, or hexane as they can leave behind dangerous contaminants
        • Look for a Certificate of Analysis. It should be printed on the bottle or label. Every COA verifies that the ingredients have been tested to prove they contain the proper contents in their proper quantities. But COAs also tell you what’s not in the ingredients. They confirm they’ve been tested and found to be free of toxic heavy metals.
        • Read the ingredient list. Look for products with high-quality ingredients. Avoid corn syrup, GMOs, pesticides, trans fats or artificial additives.
        • Don’t buy “cheap” products. It’s expensive to produce high-quality CBD. Super low prices, like you find in gas stations or convenience stores, should be a red flag to stay away.

          Detox Your Body Of Dangerous Toxins

          I’ve written to you before about the different detox methods I use with patients at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine. But I also recommend that every patient at my clinic start their detox with an infrared sauna. I have one at my clinic and I’ve also installed one at my house. I prefer this type of sauna to the traditional steam sauna.

          Here’s what I love about infrared detoxing.

          Infrared light penetrates several inches into your tissue. This deep penetration releases debris from the fat underneath the skin. It also allows your body to free toxins stored in other organs and tissues.4

          Infrared saunas are more efficient at detoxing than traditional steam saunas. In one study, sweat from a traditional sauna was up to 97% water. But sweat released in an infrared sauna was only 80% to 85% water.

          The remaining 15% to 20% was made up of heavy metals, sulfuric acid, sodium, ammonia, uric acid and fat-soluble toxins.5

          If you’re interested in detoxing at the Sears Institute, please call my staff at 561-784-7852 for more information.

          To Your Good Health,

          Al Sears, MD

          Al Sears, MD, CNS

          References:

          1. SL Labs. “Hemp-derived CBD products analyzed to CA cannabis compliance standards.” 2021.
          2. Evoy R and Kincl L. “Evaluation of pesticides found in Oregon cannabis from 2016 to 2017.” Ann Work Expo Health. 2020 Aug 6;64(7):770-774.
          3. Miller G. “Meeting the Challenges for Growing Hemp.”
          4. Rogers, M.D., Sherry A.: Detoxify Or Die. Sarasota, FL: Sand Key Company, Inc., pgs. 199-200; 206-13, 2002.
          5. Laredo M. “Whole body detoxification (part 3): far-infrared sauna use.” NaturalNews.com March 17, 2008. Accessed 07/09/2021